ON THE GRAPEVINE: Industry concerns over alcohol strategy

APPROACH: The Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association has some concerns about the Consultation Draft National Alcohol Strategy.

The Consultation Draft National Alcohol Strategy (NAS) raises serious concerns for the alcohol sector as a whole.

Whilst the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA) supports the use of evidence-based policy measures to address medical and social problems emanating from excessive alcohol consumption, the HVWTA is concerned that the NAS it is not a targeted approach to solving these problems.

The NAS focuses on population wide measures including increases in taxation, restricting availability and implementing bans on advertising, with an aim to decrease overall alcohol consumption and seemingly bowing populist sentiments that demonise alcohol consumption.

Changes to the NAS is a key focus for the HVWTA, and over the coming months we will work with other regional and state organisations on this, including pregnancy warning and energy labelling initiatives being proposed by government/s.

We will also endeavour to draft a response and raise the concerns we have on the NAS on behalf of HVWTA members.

The Winemaker’s Federation of Australia, the Alcohol Beverages Association, Wine Industry Suppliers Australia and other state wine industry groups all share concerns at the content of this draft strategy.

For more information, call the HVWTA on 02 4990 0940.

Jo Thomas is the general manager of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association